Lucknow

Expressing confidence that the SIT probe into the alleged embezzlement of funds at the Ram temple in Ayodhya will bring the truth to light, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday urged all parties to refrain from making baseless comments that could hurt the feelings of devotees.

He encouraged anyone with evidence related to the case to present it to the SIT for examination. Adityanath warned that anyone found guilty, regardless of their position, would not be spared.

Adityanath made the remarks in Ayodhya on Friday, where a three-member SIT constituted by the UP government is investigating the alleged embezzlement of funds at the Ram temple.

"I have an appeal for all devotees of Lord Ram regarding the news reports concerning Ayodhya. At the trust's request, we have ordered an SIT investigation, and I can assure you that this probe will bring the absolute truth to light. There is no doubt about that," Adityanath said.

On the same day, Adityanath laid the foundation and inaugurated 126 development projects worth over Rs 378 crore, as well as the statue of warrior Jhalkari Bai.

Making a fervent appeal to the devotees of Lord Ram, Adityanath said, "I humbly request all devotees of Lord Ram to remember that he has taught us the lesson of 'maryada' (righteous conduct). He has shown us how to live with dignity and restraint. For 500 years, our ancestors struggled to reclaim the sacred site of Lord Ram. Let us wait just another 15 days. Do not worry. However, we must not be misled by those who seek to defame Ayodhya or insult the Ram Janmabhoomi temple."

Attacking the Samajwadi Party and the Congress, Adityanath said that these parties would never want Ayodhya to gain prominence or receive the honour it deserves, simply because they lacked the capability themselves and were unable to achieve it.

He also accused them of spreading malicious propaganda.

"These are the people who fired upon devotees of Lord Ram and wielded lathis against those who chanted 'Jai Shri Ram'. They questioned the very existence of Lord Ram and created every type of hurdle by deploying their lawyers in court to stall proceedings. They should stop lecturing us," Adityanath stated.

Reiterating his appeal to avoid making unwarranted statements and comments with the SIT probe underway, Adityanath requested that any attempts to assassinate someone's character must be discouraged. "Do not try to unnecessarily tarnish the reputation of Ayodhya Dham," he said.

Sharpening his attack, Adityanath posed a string of questions saying why didn't those who ruled before 2017 make Kamakhya Dham a 'Nagar Panchayat' (urban local body in Ayodhya district)? Why didn't they provide solar panels to the poor under the 'PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana'? Why couldn't the poor access rations back then?

"It was because they lacked sensitivity and the will power to act. They simply were not capable of it. You held no significance for them. For them, their own family was everything. If jobs were available, only their kin would reap the benefits and enjoy all the facilities. Why would they have installed a statue of the brave heroine Jhalkari Bai? Their vision was limited to graveyards alone. How could they have possibly installed a statue of the brave Jhalkari Bai?," Adityanath said.

On June 13, the Uttar Pradesh government constituted an SIT following a request from the temple trust to probe allegations of misappropriation of donation money.

The probe follows allegations raised by Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav, who, on June 7, cited reports claiming that crores of rupees from donations offered at the temple were missing and urged the courts to take cognisance of the matter.

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The fund embezzlement row has triggered political sparring between the ruling BJP and the opposition parties.